Farmer wins $20,000 in safety upgrades for farm and footy club

Greg runs a cattle, sheep and cropping business and is President of Rutherglen Football Netball Club. His farm prize will fund safety improvements tailored to the business, while the club will receive a further $10,000 for safety upgrades.

The annual competition, held in collaboration with AFL Victoria and Netball Victoria, recognises unsung community contributors and the role sport plays in farming communities. Greg was selected from several monthly winners, who also received a farm safety pack worth almost $2,000, along with merchandise packs for their local clubs and nominators.

Greg has worked on his family’s property since his teenage years and has contributed to his community through volunteering and philanthropy. In 2021, he and his wife Kaylene bought land beside the club’s home ground and donated more than 4,000 square metres for a second netball court and extra car parking.

Alongside that donation, Greg has volunteered many hours at the club. He described supporting others and keeping people safe, both at work and at the club, as part of belonging to the community.

"It's so important that we can enjoy and get home from our work safely so that we can enjoy a day at the footy and the netball on the Saturday," Greg said.

WorkSafe Chief Executive Officer Joe Calafiore said volunteers such as Greg showed why staying safe at work mattered: it allowed people to keep contributing to thriving communities. "As WorkSafe's Footy's Favourite Farmer for 2024, Greg is a great example of why safety at work matters – because we are all part of something bigger in our communities, families and friendships."

Greg described the award as both an honour and an opportunity to make his workplace and club safer. He said identifying dangers on the farm and limiting access to them was important.

"The $10,000 from WorkSafe is just an amazing opportunity for me now to look at our business and improvements and the safety that we can bring back onto our property," he said.

How Blue Safe can help: Our free WHS self-check can help you review your business’s approach to workplace safety and identify areas that may need closer attention. Take the free WHS self-check